Meanwhile, Xiao Rufeng was unusually silent since she and Yan Xiuchen left the venue. Yan Xiuchen surmised that she was still upset about losing the award to Ye Mingyu, but didn't know how to make her feel better.
"Are you still upset?" He asked, gently brushing his fingertips over her hair as the car drove them back to his mansion.
"I just thought that if I lose tonight, it would be alright. But I couldn't accept losing to Ye Mingyu out of all the nominees." Xiao Rufeng admitted. "It would have been fine if I lost to someone else, but…"
"You didn't think Ye Mingyu deserved to win." Yan Xiuchen finished her sentence for her.
Xiao Rufeng nodded and lowered her head in shame. She shouldn't have been too confident that she would win.
"Sorry. Just as I thought you could be proud of me. I promise to do better next time." She mumbled.
Yan Xiuchen sighed and drew her into his embrace. He placed a chaste kiss on top of her crown and patted her back in assurance.
"You speak as if it is a sin to lose in a competition. You and I both know that Ye Mingyu only managed to get the award because her man bought it for her. You are nothing like her, Rufeng. You always do your best, so don't let this discourage you. No matter if Ye Mingyu got the award, you are still the winner in my eyes."
Xiao Rufeng blushed at his words and was thankful that he wasn't able to see her face right now.
"You always know the right words to say, huh." She chuckled against his broad chest.
"That's not true." Yan Xiuchen responded. It was his turn to feel bashful.
"You have no idea how hard it was for me to talk to you during our first encounter. I wanted to hear you talk to me more, but I had no idea how to lead a conversation with you." He confessed, remembering how pathetic he might have looked during their first meeting.
"I didn't know you were interested in me from day one." She lightly teased him. "So did you accept Mr. Lu's invitation for lunch because you wanted to see me?"
"Something like that." He easily admitted. "But I wasn't hopeful that you would see me as me. I just wanted to see you even from afar. I dare not ask for more."
"Then I'm glad that I volunteered to become your temporary assistant. It would do you no good if you keep watching me from afar. That would make you sound like a stalker." She giggled.
Once the car pulled to a stop, arriving at Yan Xiuchen's mansion, he alighted first before extending his hand to Xiao Rufeng.
"I know that you're still upset from not winning the award, but Elder Meng prepared a special dinner for us tonight. Would you mind joining me?" He asked before Xiao Rufeng could step out.
"Why, of course. I'm quite starving actually. I tried to control my appetite these days in fear that I won't fit into the dress Xiaofei sent me."
Xiao Rufeng stepped out and stood at her full height. She was wearing light makeup on her face, her hair pinned up in an elaborate hairstyle. Crystals dangled on her ears as it perfectly complemented the beige colored dress with high slit, exposing her beautiful legs. On top of it, she was wearing a khaki colored coat to protect her from the coldness of the night while her feet were enclosed in a pair of high heeled shoes.
"Lead the way, love." She playfully winked at Yan Xiuchen as she hooked her arm with his.
As they enjoyed a romantic dinner with Yan Xiuchen, her disappointment over her loss was somewhat forgotten. Once they were done with dinner, Xiao Rufeng took a long shower while Yan Xiuchen made a late night phone call.
When she stepped out of the shower, he was nowhere to be seen. She decided to clear her head while waiting for him at the balcony of his room, marveling at how peaceful the night was.
"I'll just do better next time. I'll make sure that they won't have a chance to deny that my performance is beyond comparison."
Yan Xiuchen joined her shortly, their hands intertwining each other as they looked at the faded crescent moon above the sky. The cool breeze ruffled her unbound hair and Yan Xiuchen stepped closer to hug her from behind.
"I love you."
Her inside grew soft at Yan Xiuchen's admission of love. He never failed to remind her everyday of how amazing she was and how much he loved her. Xiao Rufeng thought that she would never get used to it.
"I love you too, Xiuchen." She responded. "You are one of the best things that have happened to me."
Yan Xiuchen turned her slowly to face him. His right hand caressed her cheek gently as she closed her eyes at this sweet moment shared between them.
"Will you marry me, Miss Xiao Rufeng? Would you give me the honor of becoming your man? Your husband?"
Xiao Rufeng immediately popped her eyes open. In front of her, in his hand, was the most beautiful diamond ring she'd ever seen. Her eyes immediately shone with tears.
"Xiuchen… I…"
They had already talked about their future together, but she hadn't expected him to propose to her like this.
"I know it's only been months since we met, but I feel like I've known you for years. I thought I should propose to you in some grandiose way or in front of your friends - our friends, but let me be selfish this time, Rufeng. I just want this to be between you and me. Please say yes and marry me."
His face grew blurry as tears filled her eyes.
"Please say yes and make me the happiest man alive."
Xiao Rufeng smiled. "Yes! A million times yes! I say yes!"
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